PS-01.A.03 - Academic Shared Governance Policy
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/01/25
ISSUE#: 6
PRESIDENT: Dr. Loren J. Blanchard
PURPOSE
1.1. This policy statement affirms the philosophy of shared governance at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and describes the university’s shared governance structure in alignment with SB 37 and the procedures to be followed by components within that structure.
DEFINITIONS
2.1. Constituency: A component of the university community. The four primary constituencies
are:
2.1.1. Administration: Includes but not limited to the president, vice presidents,
assistant and associate vice presidents, deans, assistant and associate deans, executive
directors.
2.1.2. Faculty: Full-time UHD employees whose primary responsibilities are teaching
research, and service who are members of the Faculty Assembly as described in the
Faculty Council By-Laws. Department chairs hold faculty status with administrative
appointments during their term.
2.1.3. Staff: Full-time UHD employees who are not members of the faculty or administration.
2.1.4. Students: Those who are currently enrolled in an educational program and who
are not full-time employees of the University.
2.2. Shared governance:
Institutions of higher education in this state shall be governed by a principle of
shared governance, which refers to a structured decision-making process in which the
governing board of the institution exercises ultimate authority and responsibility
for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while
allowing for appropriate consultation with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders
on matters related to academic policy and institutional operations. The principle
of shared governance may not be construed to diminish the authority of the governing
board to make final decisions in the best interest of the institution, students, and
taxpayers.
Administrators at institutions of higher education must make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce needs, and the institution’s institutional mission. Faculty and staff may provide recommendations on academic matters, but that input is only advisory in nature, ensuring that governing boards and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate decision-making authority. Shared governance structures may not be used to obstruct, delay, or undermine necessary institutional reforms or serve as a mechanism for advancing ideological or political agendas.
POLICY
3.1. The provisions of this policy shall be interpreted consistently with applicable state and federal laws, including SB 37, regulations, and policies of the University of Houston System, the University of Houston System Board of Regents, and the State of Texas.
3.2. Shared governance relies upon consistent and trustworthy venues for constituents to provide feedback and appropriate communication venues to notify campus constituents of prospective decisions, new and updated policies and other relevant institutional updates.
3.3. The primary constituencies of the University shall have opportunities to provide
feedback as aligned with their interests, special knowledge, and expertise.
3.4. Constituencies serve in an advisory role and will be provided with sufficient
opportunities to appropriately provide feedback prior to institutional decisions
being implemented.
3.5. Once a decision has been made, all parties are expected to support its implementation
in good faith.
3.6. Administrators at institutions of higher education must make decisions in a manner
that promotes efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities,
workforce needs, and the institution’s mission. Faculty and staff may provide recommendations
on academic matters, but that input is advisory in nature, ensuring that governing
boards and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate decision-making authority.
3.6.1. Faculty: The faculty's participation in shared governance is in an advisory
role and may include providing feedback in the areas of curriculum, subject matter
and methods of instruction, research, faculty status, faculty employment and welfare,
aspects of student life which relate to the educational process, and university budgeting.
The faculty will be able to exercise their advisory role in the shared governance
process through service on the Faculty Council, Chairs Council, and on university,
college and departmental councils and committees.
3.6.2. Staff: The staff's participation in shared governance is in an advisory role
and may include the areas of student affairs, financial services, academic support,
research, advancement, physical resources, and staff employment and welfare. The staff
will be able to exercise their advisory role in the shared governance process through
service on the Staff Council and other university councils and committees.
3.6.3. Students: The opinions of students are sought, heard, and considered in significant
decisions affecting the University and the University seeks to ensure that students
have opportunities to provide appropriate input to the leadership of the institution.
Students are free, individually and collectively, to express their views on issues
of institutional policy and on matters of interest to the student body. The Student
Government Association (SGA) and Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
serve as the collective voices of the student body. Other student organizations and
groups also provide advice to the University administration on matters that are of
particular interest to their membership or to the student population in general.
3.6.4. Administration: The responsibilities of administrators in shared governance
include, but are not limited to, forming and articulating a vision for the University,
providing strategic leadership, and managing resources, finances, external affairs,
and operations. Administrators participate in the shared governance process in a manner
designed to foster the smooth, efficient, and effective management of the University,
while providing venues for advisory input from faculty, students, and staff.
PROCEDURES
4.1. The President or designee shall maintain a publicly available UHD Councils and Committees document on the institution’s website which lists all advisory council and committees and at a minimum, each entity’s status as permanent or temporary, its charge, the composition of its membership, how members are chosen, its current members, members’ terms of service, how the chair is appointed or chosen, and the method by which its recommendations are routed. Where relevant, it will also describe requirements for the frequency of meetings, standard meeting times, notification of meetings, posting of agendas, maintenance of meeting minutes, and other matters pertinent to the operation of the entity.
4.2. A person who is not clearly a member of one of the University’s four primary constituencies (e.g., adjunct faculty, alumni) may be appointed to a committee, council, or task force when it serves the objectives of that entity.
4.3. The provisions of this policy are aligned with SB 37 and its language on shared governance.
4.4. On rare occasions when leaders must act in the best interest of the University without full benefit of soliciting feedback from campus constituents, the campus community shall be informed in a timely manner and have an opportunity to provide feedback on the actions taken.
REVIEW PROCESS
As indicated below, this policy must be reviewed every five years. The responsible party for review shall be the President or his designee. The UHS General Counsel will review this policy to determine alignment with SB 37. The Board of Regents exercises ultimate authority and responsibility for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related to academic policy and institutional operations.
Responsible Party (Reviewer): Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)
Review: Every five years on or before May 31.
POLICY HISTORY
Issue #1:
Issue #2:
Issue #3:
Issue #4:
Issue #5: 10/16/95
Issue #6: 09/01/25 (this issue)
REFERENCES
01A01 University of Houston-Downtown Policy and Procedure System
EXHIBITS
There are no exhibits associated with this PS.